AFC · Group F
Japan at FIFA World Cup 2026
Japan qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the first 48-team edition, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Group F opponents
Japan plays the following three teams in the group stage. Top 2 advance to the Round of 32; the 3rd-placed team can still advance via the best-3rd-placed playoff route (8 of 12 third-placed teams qualify).
Japan fixtures
Japan in the tournament
Japan arrives at the 2026 World Cup ranked #18 in the FIFA World Ranking with a tournament strength rating of 76/100. AFC (Asia) sends 8 teams to 2026. South Korea, Japan, and Australia have all reached the knockout rounds in recent tournaments.
The 48-team format puts Japan in Group F with Netherlands, Tunisia, Sweden. On FIFA ranking alone, the group averages #27, with Japan in the middle of the pack. Top 2 advance automatically; the best 3rd-placed teams (8 of 12) also qualify for the Round of 32.
Japan squad for World Cup 2026
Announced May 19, 2026 · 26 players · Head coach: Hajime Moriyasu
Liverpool captain Wataru Endo leads Japan into their eighth World Cup. The squad is heavy with European-based players -- Bayern's Hiroki Ito, Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo, Crystal Palace's Daichi Kamada. Japan are chasing a first quarter-final after three round-of-16 exits in the last four editions.
Goalkeepers3
- Tomoki Hayakawa(Kashima Antlers)
- Keisuke Osako(Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
- Aya Suzuka(Parma)
Defenders9
- Yuto Nagatomo(FC Tokyo)
- Shogo Taniguchi(Sint-Truiden)
- Ko Itakura(Ajax)
- Tsuyoshi Watanabe(Feyenoord)
- Takehiro Tomiyasu(Ajax)
- Hiroki Ito(Bayern Munich)
- Ayumu Seko(Le Havre)
- Yukinari Sugawara(Werder Bremen)
- Junosuke Suzuki(FC Copenhagen)
Midfielders9
- Wataru EndoCaptain(Liverpool)
- Junya Ito(Genk)
- Daichi Kamada(Crystal Palace)
- Koki Ogawa(NEC Nijmegen)
- Daizen Maeda(Celtic)
- Ritsu Doan(Eintracht Frankfurt)
- Ao Tanaka(Leeds United)
- Kaishu Sano(Mainz 05)
- Takefusa Kubo(Real Sociedad)
Forwards5
- Ayase Ueda(Feyenoord)
- Keito Nakamura(Stade de Reims)
- Ito Suzuki(SC Freiburg)
- Kento Shiode(Wolfsburg)
- Keisuke Goto(Sint-Truiden)
Sources: Sky Sports. Squads may change due to injury or disciplinary action before the tournament.
Japan analysis
Frequently asked questions about Japan
When does Japan play at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Japan plays 3 scheduled group-stage matches starting June 14, 2026. The opener is against NED. See the full fixtures list below for every kickoff time and venue.
What group is Japan in at the World Cup 2026?
Japan is in Group F alongside Netherlands, Tunisia, Sweden. The top two from each group advance to the Round of 32, plus the 8 best 3rd-placed teams across all 12 groups.
What is Japan's FIFA ranking?
Japan entered the FIFA World Cup 2026 ranked #18 in the FIFA World Ranking. This places them in the top 25 globally. Rankings update through the qualification cycle.
Can Japan win the World Cup 2026?
Japan's pre-tournament strength rating is 76/100, derived from FIFA ranking, recent form, and squad depth. They are realistic dark horses capable of reaching the latter rounds. Try them in the bracket predictor to test your scenario.